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Autumn is my absolute favorite season of all! Living in New England, I really do get to experience all four seasons, with the biggest challenge being the winter. Sometimes it creeps up earlier than expected and chooses to hang out longer than desired. I’ll spare us a revisit the winter travails of Massachusetts last year. What I note though is that not everyone looks at the changes in seasons the same way. See, I find pluses and minuses of each. Winter can be bone chilling cold but I love the days of snowfall so intense that all you can do is snuggle, warm drink in hand and watch a great movie from your couch. Spring can take fooooooorever to show up but once it’s here, it brings with it the promise of even warner weather with so much to do outside. Summer, need I say more? Yes, some days can get waaaaaaaay too hot, but outside activities are limitless. Autumn, brings the warning of colder days ahead but helps us transition with BEAUTIFUL foliage and opportunities for fabulous fashion! And yet, some of us like one season and one only or simply despise another. I could go on and on but this is also the case in life.

It is inevitable that as long as you’re living your life is going to bring with it different seasons. Things can’t go well 100% of the time, but, they can’t go horribly wrong 100% of the time either. It just can’t. Some seasons can be more prolonged than others but it is inevitable that there will be change. Over the past few months, another theme tied to this that has been coming up for my clients is that of the changing seasons of friendships.

Lately, I’ve consistently been heard things like:

“You know, I was a little down because as I was going through ‘x-situation’, I realized the folks who have usually been there for me just haven’t been.”

“I’ve been noticing a shift in my group lately….folks are kind of falling off.”

“As I approach my 30s, I am noticing that not everyone is game for continuing my journey with me….it kind of sucks. It’s like they don’t accept the growth in me, or at least that I’m feeling I’m experiencing.”

I’ve been through all of this before myself so of course I have to ask each of them “As you’re noticing some folks falling away or distancing or even just cutting off ties with you, are other people showing up?” Consistently the response has been “Yes and totally out of the blue!” Yup, see just like the old saying “God never closes one door without opening another,” I don’t believe you’re ever left with loss without some form of compensation for that loss showing up. This is especially true since we as human beings are just not intended to be alone. So of course other people are going to show up in your life…and they will probably be so much better for you since they’re showing up in a season where the value of their presence is beyond measure. Accept it as time for new fruit.

So what is there to do in seasons of changing friendships?

Acknowledge your hurt: There are so many ways we try to be so strong and so tough and so unaffected by people and circumstances that we don’t let ourselves hurt or at least we don’t think we do. See, if you don’t take the time to let yourself acknowledge that these changes are impacting you, the “dealing with it” will show up in other ways. You’ll be arguing over something with your spouse that you know has nothing to do with them. You’ll be short-tempered with the kids. You’ll give your coworkers some unrelenting side-eye and it really has nothing to do with them and all to do with the fact that the change, especially if unexpected has really dampened your spirits. Let yourself acknowledge it especially with someone who can give you perspective.

Decide to move on: Don’t let yourself get stuck in acknowledgement. Once you’ve made note of what’s happening or happened, give yourself the gift of moving on. Start by treating yourself to a party for one….may be a day of catching up on Essence reading, a day at the spa, just a mani and pedi…something. Focus on you, even if just for a bit then…..remember…..NOT EVERYONE IS GONE! You’ve still got others in your life. Shift your focus from what’s changing to what’s…who’s staying the same and reach out, engage, move on.

Accept the beauty of change: When you’re going through these seasons, always think of fall foliage. It’s so beautiful and brings so much with it. It can be hard but look at the beauty of it. Change is usually an indication of growth, strengthening, progress, forward movement….though it may not always look and feel like it, there’s beauty in it. Take note of it and accept it. When you do, you’ll notice how truly breathtaking it and you are!!!!

Live fabulously fierce: Being who you are is not dependent on who is in your life. Others compliment who you are and the best of friends help bring out the best of who you are. But no on, no one, makes you who you are other than you. Commit to continuing to live fabulously fierce or however it is you choose to live….fabulously empowered….fabulously strong….fabulously hopeful….you choose and LIVE IT!!!!

Final note: With the whole Viola Davis and Taraji P. Henson scene at the Emmy’s…which I will not get into simply because I know I just will not stop once I start…..there has been an increase in consciousness of “who’s clapping for you”….who’s in your tribe…who’s got your back….etc etc. It’s raising our level of awareness that we actually get to decide who comes into our lives and who’s influence we’re going to let impact us. Know that this is actually empowerment. You get to choose. You get to choose. Be empowered in that and know that you decide through your intentions, actions, and who you attract, who will be in your life. Accept the change in seasons and engage in facilitating what the seasons will entail with those you allow to be part of your journey. And…..It. Always. Gets. Better. And so do you!

Soundtrack of the week:Count on Me. Be encouraged-your new season of friendships will result in those who can sing this song with you and know that the truth of the lyrics run deep.

What does Living Fabulously Fierce Mean to You? To me, living fabulously fierce is all about learning to live each day to my fullest. As stated in the LFF mission and description, it is the same for me-I live each day trying to inspire women and young girls around me. Each day, I am determined to help women own their beauty. While in my day to day this is usually in the form of their hair, for me it is much deeper than their hair and that is why, no matter the age, we talk about diet, spiritual health and of course that is connected to the best hair you can have. I want my clients and the young women in my life to walk away from me changed from the inside out. It is my mission to elevate women and girls confidence permanently!

If you had to describe your brand in three words, what would those three words be?

This is such a hard question. I would choose so many words to answer this, but

the top 3 are ministry, authentic and empowered. I have been given the power and abilities to encourage women and I can’t do that without including GOD, who has saved me. Small discussions about having faith, and accepting the beauty that was GOD-given are just snippets of our talks. My approach is what allows women to feel empowered to attack and conquer the next task, or negative mindset with courage and confidence.

I am authentic about who I am and where I’ve been and what I’m still working on. This makes the women I speak to feel as if they can face their challenges and not be ashamed of what their past and present are made of. The future is a few minutes from that moment and can be different. I’m vulnerable so that they can see we all have a testimony and sharing it can facilitate change in others!

How are you intentional about your personal brand? Each day, I have to pray, meditate, love me intentionally and faithfully. The intent is always there to do that, but the consistency is difficult and has to be done or I move further away from my goals. Loving me, allows me to love my clients and young women in my life more intently as well. I also do small things like compliment women every day, smile and say hello to women passing just to set an example. I intentionally try to look the part of a stylist, dressed well, just enough make-up, great accessories, and of course my hair is always done or that would be an incredibly mixed message.

How do you live it?

I pray, workout, meditate and live intentional to my purpose. I try to not let the small things change the course of my day. I try not to let ANYone or ANYthing steal my joy and change my course for the day ahead.

If there is anything you could do to either reinforce or enhance your brand, what would that be?

Wow, absolutely!!!! That is like an essay question. Haha. I would love to own my own salon which would be all about building my brand and reaching the masses of women I dream of reaching! That is coming!!!

Greatest accomplishment?

My greatest accomplishment is still yet to come! I’m happy to share that I am pregnant and GOD-willing, my pregnancy is a healthy one and goes to full term, and a baby is born, he/she will be my greatest accomplishment thus far. Next on that list is definitely opening my own salon and growing from there.

Biggest Challenge that you’ve overcome?

My biggest challenge thus far has been learning to truly love myself physically, no matter my size. Loving me and all GOD has placed in me that HE didn’t put in anyone else. Believing how uniquely I was created and not comparing myself to anybody else!

Interesting Fact/Interests/Hobby/Something you think the LFF World to Know: My

favorite pastimes are singing, working out, cooking and spending time with my husband! Singing is something that frees my soul and causes people to listen when I open my mouth. It’s a blessing from GOD. Working out is an absolute in life, to feel good and live the best life I can. Cooking is also therapeutic, and I love challenging myself with new healthy recipes. And last, but never least, I love spending time with the best friend GOD created for me! He is the best ending to my day!

How do you recommend other women stay true to themselves and live their authentic personal brand? Never stop learning who you are and embracing it. Love yourself more each day and smile at challenges. Pray, and be grateful for all you have and believe more is on the way. Don’t allow naysayers to deter you and be compassionate to those who are lost and trying to figure out so many things you already have!

What advice do you have for young girls, our up and coming fabulously fierce, around being their best selves or anything you’d like to share with them in particular?

When I speak to young women and girls, I see myself. That automatically gives me a level of compassion that reaches the true depths of my heart. I want them to know that the greatest power is loving yourself as you are! No one can take that from you, so you have to learn to take the best steps in choosing friends, food and fun! Make those times help uplift them and change them positively. If they have more moments like that then, the possibilities of living fabulous fierce are so much greater!

One of my favorite love thyself quotes is “To love yourself as you are is a miracle, and to seek yourself is to have found yourself. For now. And now is all we have, and love is who we are.” -Anne Lamott

“We all have to tell our truth. That is our highest calling, to be authentic.” ~Senator, Corey Booker

I honestly can’t believe that with all of the factors that have been presenting and our “conversations” about branding, I have yet to set a factor on being authentic! I think it’s simply because I see this characteristic as one of the primary foundations of living fabulously fierce that I’ve taken for granted its influence and significance on everything else.

So, authenticity….what is it? You know…being our highest calling and what not. Well, my trusty Google search led to the following find:

*LFF Interpretation:

Exactly what is claimed-showing up as you truly claim you are.

*Being fully trustworthy as according with fact-building and maintaining credibility.

Participating in the Multicultural Women’s National Conference this week, we spent a great deal of time talking about personal branding as I led a session on executive presence and moderated a panel on communications and nurturing connections. Of course during these conversations I spent a great deal of time stressing the importance of staying true to who we are, being authentic, while exhibiting agility and the ability to flex without losing ourselves. For some of us, this comes very naturally. We’ve figured out this balancing act and get through it quite seamlessly. For others of us, it really is a skill we’re developing and honing, mostly because we don’t yet see that we can actually do both without presenting a contradiction. In time, it will be more seamless for us as well. How does this happen? Of course with time, but what else? Well….

Staying true to who you are is really all about knowing who you are, what you stand for, what you have to offer this world. When it comes to the professional side of things, no matter what our focus area (s) may be, this is directly tied to our unique proposition value and how that stands out and above the rest. So, this requires a great deal of self-awareness that guides our mode of operating.

Exhibiting agility and the ability to flex without losing yourself is where the balancing act comes into play. On some level, this is really all about “when in Rome….”, we all know how it goes. But what it is more about is the skill of flexing your style to operate in a way that draws in the audiences you’re targeting and influencing, not to change who you are, but to leverage the platform you’ve been given to share your authenticity.

Ok, so what does this look like? Here’s what is the most simplest example that we often talk about: being an employee with more of a creative flair in style and dress who operates in a more conservative environment, professionally on the day to day. Being authentic means that I have to completely change who I am between 9 and 5 and then be more of myself after any times outside of those hours. NOT!!!! What this means is that you just have to flex your style to leverage the platform of a conservative environment to show your authentic brilliance, while not losing yourself to what may feel like uncomfortable conservatism in the process of flexing. Again, a balancing act indeed!

Authenticy: Truth…Agility…Flexing. How will you take on this challenge?

In the spirit of sharing just a bit of what I got to experience at this week’s conference. Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour’s picture below really captures what I’ve just shared: Balancing Truth with Agility and the ability to flex…. A Fighter Pilot (FlyGirl) now leveraging the motivational speaker platform with corporate audiences. It doesn’t get much better than that in the game of authenticity.